If a tornado strikes a community, the American Red Cross is there to help people pick up the pieces.
If a fire destroys a family's home, the American Red Cross is there to help them get back on their feet again.
If the blood supply is low for hospitals, the American Red Cross is there to collect donations.On June 13, the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross is celebrating a milestone.
"To the very best of our knowledge," said Executive Director Larry Peppel, "we've had an active chapter here in Kosciusko County for 90 years."
The local chapter will celebrate its 90 years on June 12 from noon to 6 p.m. to coincide with a bloodmobile at Center Lake Pavilion. Though Peppel said the celebration will not be anything elaborate, it will give the Red Cross an opportunity to show the public the services it offers as well as display some archived information. Cake, punch and light refreshments also will be served.
The Kosciusko chapter now is at 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw. Previously, Peppel said, the chapter used to be at the intersection of Pike and Lake streets. The office moved about 12 years ago. At the new location on Buffalo Street, the former garage behind the building was expanded for training purposes.
During the 90-year birthday celebration, Peppel said they also will share information with the public on where the Red Cross is going in the next 90 years. Currently, the Red Cross provides disaster services, emergency services for the Armed Forces, blood services and life-saving skills training, such as CPR and first aid. The Red Cross also provides public health education programs where they help people understand the issues going on in today's world such as pandemic flu preparedness.
"Those are ongoing programs for us, and I'm sure they'll continue to be ongoing programs for us," said Peppel.
The local chapter got to where it is today because of the many volunteers and staff that worked in the organization throughout its history.
The first chairperson of the county chapter was Judge F.E. Bowser, who served from 1916 to 1920. From 1920 to 1946, John F. Shoup served as chairperson. After his term, the chairperson served for usually only one or two years. However, Steve Devenney served from 1976 to 1982.
"It was strictly a volunteer organization until Sally Long was hired in 1941 as the first executive secretary," said Peppel.
She was replaced by Inez Devenney in 1957, who served until her death in 1985. Norma Anglin then took over until she was replaced by Norma Anglin as executive director, followed by Sharon Burns in 1995 as interim director. Rebecca Notestine then served as executive director until 2001, with Peppel taking over in 2002.
But the success of the local Red Cross chapter, Peppel said, is due to the volunteers. "We could not succeed without volunteers," he said. Currently, the chapter has more than 200 volunteers. Some are very active, others are blood donors, disaster team members or board members.
"We are so grateful for our volunteers because without them, we'd be out of business today," Peppel said.
Support for the Red Cross also comes financially from the United Way, said Jill DeBatty, board chairman. The community also is a strong financial supporter of the Red Cross, and events like March's Red Ball fundraiser also supports the local chapter.
The local chapter works with more than 15 emergency services. Those services are grateful for the help and support the Red Cross supplies.
"The police department is very grateful to work with them, to have the great organization in the community," said Warsaw Police Department Chief Steve Foster.
Peppel also acknowledged the "great job" the chapters board of directors and staff do. The board of directors include DeBatty, Vice Chair Kevin Weaver, Secretary Michael Suhany and Treasurer Burton Ramsey. At-large members are David Colquitt, Julie Bowers, Gretchen Moore, Sandra Parra, Karen Nelson, Debbie Yingling, Layne Warren, Ann Sweet, Laura Kaufman, Debra Musser and Peggy Lieffring.
Along with Peppel, the chapter staff includes Carol Stanton, director of program services; Ivana Goodrich, administrative assistant; Danny Warrick, disaster action team chair; and Bree Griffith, instructor trainer.
The mission of the American Red Cross is to "provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies."
